AUT set to make more than 200 jobs cuts

6 September, 2022

By Joel Armstrong

Photo: Auckland University of Technology.

As many as 230 jobs could be cut at Auckland University of Technology (AUT).

In a statement, Vice-Chancellor Damon Salesa said a significant drop in international students, increased costs, and fewer domestic student enrolments had forced the University to review staff numbers and low enrolment courses.

The Design and Creative Technologies department has been tasked to reduce its staff by 50, and the Culture and Society and Te Ara Poutama department by 40. The Business, Economics and Law department and the Health and Environmental Sciences department have been tasked to reduce staff by 30 each.

The proposed staff cuts would reduce spending by $21 million a year. 

The statement also details programmes that are considered to be "no longer strategically aligned with the future direction" of the University.

These degrees include Bachelor's in Social Sciences, Conflict Resolution, Japanese Studies, English, and New Media.

Salesa said the proposal is the first of its kind in the University's 22-year history.

The Tertiary Education Union are opposing the cuts, with the union organiser at AUT, Jill Jones, describing the proposal as “bitterly disappointing."

“We will do everything we can to oppose these unnecessary cuts and support our members through what is set to be a very difficult time.”

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